Does solid wood flooring need underlay?
April 30, 2023
This is one of the most common questions we get when installing solid wood floors. Underlay can greatly increase the cost of a flooring project (and the cost of solid hardwood is already high enough), so many people wonder if they really need to pay for an extra layer beneath a solid surface.
We’d love to give you a short answer to this question, but unfortunately there isn’t a short answer (unless that answer is “probably”). While we always recommend installing underlay under solid
wood flooring, there are some cases where it is not necessary. If you already have a plywood subfloor, you can often get by just fine without underlay. Just be sure to smooth and level the plywood before you install hardwood - any flaws in the subfloor will be reflected in the top layer of flooring as well!
If you are installing over concrete or are installing a floating engineered wood floor, the answer is a resounding “yes!” Even if you have a great plywood subfloor, there are several benefits to using underlay.
First, waterproof underlay provides a much needed layer of protection for your solid wood flooring. If water finds a way to seep under a hardwood floor, the damage will almost always be extensive and expensive. Wet wood expands, warps, and can even crack and break. Since no area of your home or business is completely safe from water leaks and spills, this extra layer of protection is more than worth the cost.
Comfort is another great reason to use underlay. Hardwood is, well, hard. It can also get very cold during the winter. If you are laying solid wood flooring in a bedroom, underlay will keep the floor warmer on chilly mornings. It also cushions your steps a bit - if you don’t plan on using area rugs, we strongly suggest improving your quality of life with underlay.
If you’ve ever walked across a solid floor in boots or high heels, you know that it can be loud. Underlay can reduce the echoes and vibrations that bounce off of your floor and all over your space. This makes footsteps quieter, keeps the TV from being heard in every room of the house, and reduces echoes from dropped objects and loud voices. If you are installing solid hardwood in a busy showroom or in a home with children, underlay is a must!
With a quality plywood subfloor, whether or not you use underlay is your choice. You will notice some quality of life improvements with underlay, but as long as you don’t experience any major water leaks your flooring will be solid and durable for a lifetime without it. If you do not have a plywood subfloor, installing solid wood without underlay is likely to lead to an uneven floor and warped or broken planks sooner rather than later. Don’t risk the investment you are making in a solid hardwood floor by cutting corners and not using a quality underlay!
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Tiling Victoria Floorex today for a free quote!
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